Just Ask Terry

Is there anything she can do to shrink the nodules and possibly keep her from losing her thyroid?

Dear Terry, “My 29 year old daughter has several nodules on her thyroid and recently had a biopsy. While they are not cancerous, the doctor recommended having her thyroid removed. She is not sure she wants to do this. Is there anything she can do to shrink the nodules and possibly keep her from losing her thyroid?” — Lana W., Odessa, TX

Dear Lana, I understand your daughter’s concern – the thought of having to take hormone replacement for the rest of her life can be scary.

When it comes to the thyroid, diet is extremely important. Your daughter would do better with more proteins and fats, and less carbohydrates and sugar in her diet. Dietary restrictions would also include avoiding all gluten and soy products, which can prevent healthy thyroid function. While I understand this takes a huge effort on her part, it can make a real difference. Click on my healthy diet plan for more information. For additional information, I also recommend checking out the following websites: www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com and www.drperlmutter.com. She should also read the books, Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter and Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis.

In addition to modifying her diet, there are some natural ingredients that your daughter may want to consider. Keep in mind that while I do have some recommendations, I encourage her to discuss the use of dietary supplementation with her physician as they may have additional input.

When it comes to less than optimal thyroid gland function, iodine and L-tyrosine can be extremely beneficial. I’d recommend taking 15-30 mg of iodine plus 200-400 mg of L-tyrosine at breakfast. This will provide the raw materials necessary for your thyroid glands.